- Aston Martin will reportedly keep the V12-powered Vanquish a non-electrified affair.
- The company is working on a range of PHEVs, starting with the mid-engined Valhalla.
- The PHEV powertrain, based around a twin-turbo V8, is sourced from Mercedes-AMG.
Aston Martin is gearing up for a PHEV rollout amid delays in its EV plans, but the V12-powered Vanquish is staying defiantly non-electrified—for now, anyway.
The new generation of the Vanquish flagship GT was revealed earlier this week, replacing the discontinued DBS. Unlike the V8-powered DB12, the Vanquish sports a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, churning out an impressive 824 hp (614 kW / 835 PS) and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque.
More: Aston Martin Vanquish Debuts As Continent-Crushing GT With 214 MPH Top Speed
In an interview with Autocar, Aston Martin’s engineering boss, Simon Newton, said that the V12 powertrain “defines” the Vanquish. He added that the model hasn’t been saddled with the “weight penalty” that comes with electrified setups, offering a “very analogue but highly sophisticated experience” instead.
Alex Long, Director of Product and Market Strategy at Aston Martin, chimed in: “V12 power compared with PHEV power is not the same. If you’re going to add a weight penalty, you might as well get a decent EV range, which just isn’t on the table right now.”
It appears Aston Martin is sticking to its guns with an ICE-only Vanquish, debunking previous reports of a potential PHEV option across the lineup. This makes sense, given the PHEV powertrain borrowed from Mercedes-AMG revolves around a V8. Developing an electrified V12 for the Vanquish would require a massive (and costly) undertaking.
Aston Martin is set to unveil its first plug-in hybrid—the Valhalla supercar—later this year. The mid-engined beast will feature an AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 paired with three electric motors. When questioned about potential PHEV versions of the Vantage and DB12, engineering chief Simon Newton said they are “keeping an open mind in all technologies.”
Earlier this year, Aston Martin’s Chairman, Lawrence Stroll, said their customers would rather have vehicles with internal combustion engines, explaining the slight delay in their EV plans. The debut of the first fully electric Aston Martin – setting aside the short-lived Rapide E – has been pushed back to late 2026.
Aston Martin has pledged to offer a “fully electrified” core range of models by 2030, likely including the DBX, Vantage, and DB12 lines. As for the Vanquish, it will likely stay alive for as long as ICE-only models are permitted by the regulations.
